floating vote

American  

noun

1. those voters collectively who are not permanently attached to any political party.

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Other Word Forms

• floating voter noun

Etymology

Origin of floating vote

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

The Democrats still held the majority in both houses, but there was so large a floating vote, and the margins were so narrow, as to make the administration feel that its hold was precarious.

From Project Gutenberg

Labour strategists, fearful that the middle-class “floating vote” that brought the party three victories under Mr. Blair is deserting them, are facing the prospect of ending up with little more than the core vote of traditional Labour supporters.

From New York Times

Naturally, the floating vote will hope for Portsmouth to strike a blow for the impoverished underdog against Tottenham.

From The Guardian

The election turned not on some seismic slide from left to right but on the choices made by the 6% to 7% of perennially undecided, known as the floating vote, who are swayed more by emotion than ideology.

From Time Magazine Archive

The decisive vote is the "floating" vote which can be polled only by distributing, or allowing to be distributed, money for the precinct organizers.

From Time Magazine Archive